Chapter 46
Chapter Forty-Six
How many times will I let her fool me?
Jaw dropped, hands slack, I stare in shock as she summons a monstrous wave and sends it crashing into my chest. A twist of her hand, and another one sends me toppling.
Cruel, cunning woman.
It takes a particularly wretched, reckless type of person to slit her own wrist on a gamble. Still, when I gaze into her steely blue eyes, I hate the sense of awe that blooms through me.
Clever little waterwielder didn’t think this through, though. With the amount of my power flowing through her, the aphrodisiac is going to hit her hard and fast.
I struggle to my feet, but she has another wave ready for me. I summon a storm, but with my power drained, it’s pitiful. I can’t even manage any thunder—just a light fucking drizzle.
She’s weakened me, this wisp of a princess.
Weaponized my feelings again and again.
My breathing is ragged—but my power will stabilize soon.
And then I’m going to pummel her into the fucking ground.
She must read my thoughts because her hand closes into a fist, and the rain merges into a translucent ball.
I know what’s coming.
I’ve seen it countless times in battle.
The ball of water floats through the air and submerges my head. Before I can move, the waterwielder guides thick, twisting waves of water over my legs. It freezes within seconds. Another few waves, quickly frozen, and I’m immobile up to my hips.
She means to kill me.
Any moment now, she’ll force water through my nostrils and mouth and ears and eyes. She’ll freeze that, too.
Even as my hands claw at my face, a sick feeling of acceptance slows my movements. I don’t try as hard as I could. My fingers still, arms dropping to my sides.
It’s only fitting I suffer the same fate as Lev.
Even more fitting that it’s by her hand.
I make the mistake of trying to breathe through my nose, and the water tunnels through my airways. I cough uselessly, but only manage to swallow yet more water.
Black splotches dot my vision, and I would be swaying on my feet if not for the ice holding me hostage. The well of my power slowly refills within me, but I don’t care.
I’m ready.
Why isn’t she freezing the water? She must want to savor this moment. It’s a well-deserved victory. Well done, Mayah.
My gaze fixes on her, blurry through the water swirling around my head.
A few minutes more, love. Yours will be the last face I see.
My lungs scream for air that won’t come.
My vision blurs at the edges.
I’m at peace with my end.
And—
The water drops with a splash.
A great, hacking cough tears loose, water spilling from my lips as my lungs struggle to inhale as much air as possible. Sharp, frantic heaves as my heart punches my ribs.
When my coughs finally fade, I meet her gaze.
Her hands have fallen to her sides, and there’s fucking regret in her eyes. Remorse and despair and fear.
The sight fills me with rage.
It’s too late for regret. It’s too late for anything.
She couldn’t even grant me the mercy of death at her hands.
“Run, Mayah,” I snarl. “Run.”
She turns and bolts into the woods.